| Adrenaline: |
A catecholamine hormone, also
known as epinephrine, secreted by the mammalian adrenal medulla
as well as the adrenergic nerve endings. Its secretion is
stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system under conditions of
stress. Adrenaline stimulates blood flow to skeletal muscles and
increases blood glucose levels.
|
| |
|
| Amino
acid: |
Any of the
alpha-amino acids that are the chief components of proteins and
are synthesized by living cells or are obtained as essential
components of the diet. |
| |
|
| Bioavailability: |
The degree to which
or rate at which a substance is absorbed or becomes available at
the site of physiological activity after administration. |
| |
|
| Blood-brain
barrier: |
A barrier created by
the modification of brain capillaries that prevents many
substances from leaving the blood and crossing the capillary
walls into the brain tissues. |
| |
|
| Carbohydrate: |
Any of a group of
organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses,
and gums and serves as a major energy source in our diet. |
| |
|
| Catecholamine: |
An amine derivative
of catechol that acts as a hormone or neurotransmitter. The
catecholamines include dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline. |
| |
|
|
Central Nervous System
(CNS):
|
The part of the
nervous system responsible
for the integration of nervous activity. It consists of the
brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. |
| |
|
| Cortical
area: |
Any of various
regions of the cerebral cortex. |
| |
|
| Dopamine: |
A monoamine
neurotransmitter formed in the brain that is essential to the
normal functioning of the central nervous system. |
| |
|
| Glucose: |
A monosaccharide
sugar occurring widely in most plant and animal tissue. It is
the principal circulating sugar in the blood and the major
energy source of the body. |
| |
|
| Glycogen: |
A white amorphous
tasteless polysaccharide that is the principal form in which
carbohydrate is stored in tissues and especially muscle and
liver tissue. |
| |
|
| Glycemic
Index: |
The glycemic index
is a useful tool that measures how fast a particular food is
likely to raise your blood sugar. |
| |
|
| Insulin: |
A polypeptide
hormone functioning in the regulation of the metabolism of
carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to
glycogen, which lowers the blood glucose level. |
| |
|
| Lipid: |
Any of various
substances that with proteins and carbohydrates constitute the
principal structural components of living cells, and that
include fats, waxes, phosphatides, cerebrosides, and related and
derived compounds. |
| |
|
| Micronutrient: |
A substance, such as a vitamin
or mineral, that is essential in minute amounts for the proper
growth and metabolism of a living organism.
|
| |
|
| Neuron: |
Any of the
impulse-conducting cells that constitute the brain, spinal
column, and nerves. Also called nerve cell. |
| |
|
| Neurotransmitter: |
A chemical that is
secreted by a neuron and mediates the transmission of a nerve
impulse across a synapse. (e.g.: dopamine, noradrenaline and
serotonin.) |
| |
|
| Noradrenaline: |
A neurotransmitter,
also known as norepinephrine, present within the brain and
released from the adrenal medulla. It also acts as
neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system at post
ganglionic effector junctions. Effects include powerful
vasoconstriction. |
| |
|
| Noradrenergic: |
Stimulated by or
releasing norepinephrine. |
| |
|
| Protein: |
Any of numerous
naturally occurring extremely complex substances that consist of
amino-acid residues joined by peptide bonds, contain the
elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, usually sulfur, and
occasionally other elements (as phosphorus or iron), and include
many essential biological compounds (as enzymes, hormones, or
immunoglobulins). |
| |
|
| Serotonin
(5-HT): |
A neurotransmitter
synthesized in nervous tissue that is associated with the sleep
cycle. |
| |
|
| Serotoninergic: |
Activated by or
capable of liberating serotonin, especially in transmitting
nerve impulses. |
| |
|
| Substrate: |
The base on which an
organism lives. |
| |
|
| Tryptophan: |
An essential amino
acid formed from proteins during digestion. It is necessary for
normal growth and development and is the precursor of several
substances, including serotonin and niacin. |
| |
|
| Tyrosine: |
A white crystalline
amino acid that is obtained from the hydrolysis of proteins such
as casein and is a precursor of epinephrine, thyroxine, and
melanin. |